Life Simulation
Ongoing coverage on Life Simulation.
Latest coverage
Inzoi's director says he is 'very much focused on our core goals' as he announces a multiplayer roleplaying mode designed to be like Ready Player One
Inzoi director Hyungjin Kim has announced a new multiplayer roleplaying mode called 'Canvastown', inspired by Ready Player One. This mode will allow up to 50 players to interact in a shared online space, creating scenarios and mini-games. However, the article notes that the base game's development has been challenging, with early access reviews calling it a 'shallow imitation' of The Sims 4, and questions whether the studio should focus on core fundamentals before pursuing ambitious side projects.
Inzoi's experimental new mode transforms it from The Sims into a full social MMO
Inzoi is developing an optional social MMO mode called 'Canvastown' that allows players to interact with up to 50 others in shared spaces and minigames, distinct from its core life simulation gameplay. Game Director Hyungjun Kim emphasized that this 'side project' will not detract from continued development of the main game, which is also receiving updates to its simulation fundamentals and object interaction features.
Disney Dreamlight Valley: The Keepsake Sea introduces mermaids and undersea building
Disney Dreamlight Valley's upcoming expansion, The Keepsake Sea, will introduce underwater exploration and building mechanics, allowing players to customize mermaid forms and construct structures beneath the waves. The expansion will also feature new characters like Meg, Milo, and Jack Sparrow, and is set to release in November.
Steam achievement leak reveals secret Twin Peaks and Alf games
A large Steam achievement leak has revealed several unannounced and upcoming video games, including titles based on Twin Peaks and Alf, a remaster of Shrek 2, and new entries in the Tetris and Slime Rancher series. The leak also exposed potential new games from Nickelodeon and Supercell, as well as a possible re-release of Telltale's The Walking Dead. Some achievements for games like Persona 6 and Kingdom Hearts 4 were also leaked, containing spoilers.
Scar Tries – WolfQuest: Anniversary Edition
WolfQuest: Anniversary Edition offers an impressively realistic wolf simulation experience, focusing on pack life, hunting, and territory management within Yellowstone National Park. While the core gameplay loop of hunting and survival can become repetitive and the combat simplistic, the game's dedication to authenticity and educational value, supported by extensive research, makes it a unique and rewarding niche title for those seeking to live as a wolf. The $29.99 price point is considered fair for the content provided.
Häng med under en dag i cyberpunk-livssimulatorn Nivalis Nights
Nivalis Nights, a life simulation game set in the cyberpunk city of Nivalis from Cloudpunk, offers a slower-paced experience focused on building a business and rising through society. A new trailer showcases a day in the life, including managing staff, acquiring ingredients, and exploring the city while avoiding surveillance.
Welcome to Elderfield Review – Welcome to my cozy nightmare
Welcome to Elderfield is a cozy RPG life horror sim that blends pixelated, retro 90s aesthetics with Lovecraftian themes. Players explore the town of Elderfield, engaging in activities like farming and cooking, while uncovering unsettling secrets and battling monsters. Despite some minor issues with explanation and difficulty spikes, the game's impressive worldbuilding, humor, and unique blend of genres make it a highly engaging experience.
In a world of Slime Rancher and Palworld, I still crave more Viva Piñata
This article reflects on Rare's 2006 title Viva Piñata, contrasting its charming life simulation gameplay with the studio's earlier, edgier titles and later Microsoft projects. Despite not being a commercial success, Viva Piñata is praised for retaining Rare's distinctive design magic and offering a surprisingly deep experience with a hidden dark side.
Your game (probably) doesn’t need fishing
This article argues that fishing mechanics are often unnecessary and detract from the core experience in games unrelated to the sport. While acknowledging optional fishing in titles like Destiny 2 and Delta Force, the author criticizes its simplistic implementation and how it can become a mandatory activity for progression. The piece contrasts this with games where fishing feels natural, like Sea of Thieves or Red Dead Redemption 2, and suggests developers should reconsider adding fishing to genres where it doesn't fit.
Nivalis Nights Showcases Its Life-Sim Gameplay Loop In New Trailer
Nivalis Nights, a cyberpunk life-simulation game, has released a new trailer showcasing its gameplay loop. Players start with a ramen shop and aim to build a hospitality empire in a city with over 135 fully-voiced NPCs. The game is set to release on September 29th.
Petit Planet's delightfully cosy galactic take on Animal Crossing is the closest we'll ever get to the life…
Petit Planet, HoyoVerse's new space-themed life simulation game, offers a cozy experience heavily inspired by Nintendo's Animal Crossing. Players can build their own planets, catch creatures, and befriend villagers, with the potential for extensive decoration. While the game's core gameplay loop is engaging and reminiscent of Animal Crossing on PC, concerns remain about its potential gacha mechanics.
Crimson Desert’s First DLC Takes Players Beyond Pywel’s Shores in Charting the Unknown | Invision Game
Pearl Abyss announced that the first DLC for Crimson Desert, titled "Charting the Unknown," will launch on October 15, 2026. This expansion introduces naval exploration, new islands, underwater areas, and challenging combat. It also adds expanded housing, facility management, and deeper character relationships, along with new narrative threads. The DLC is priced at £19.99 / €24.99 and is available for pre-order on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Epic Games Store.
Crimson Desert Channels The Sims With Its Chartering The Unknown Expansion
Pearl Abyss announced that Crimson Desert's first major expansion, Chartering the Unknown, will launch in October and introduces life simulation elements akin to The Sims. The expansion adds underwater combat, building construction, and romance options to the open-world action RPG.
Big Ambitions Best Business Guide (Early & Late Game)
This guide for Big Ambitions focuses on generating wealth through smart business choices, highlighting coffee shops as a low-investment starter and gyms as a more profitable venture. Success depends on strategic placement and understanding market demand, with the article emphasizing player skill development.
Gamezebo At Gamescom 2026 – Indie Spotlights and Highlights!
This article highlights several promising indie games showcased at Gamescom 2026, including the survival sandbox God Save Birmingham, the atmospheric visual novel Rain98, and the cozy farming sim Delphinium. Other featured titles include the roguelike deckbuilder Reply All, psychological horror Fractured Blooms, bullet hell Deesicks, habitat restoration sim The Regreening, and the poetry experience Oku, all presented by developer Byterockers.
Fable is "15-20 hours" long, Xbox confirms, but you can "literally play it forever" if you treat it more like a life sim than an RPG
Xbox has confirmed that the upcoming Fable RPG will feature a main story length of 15-20 hours, aligning with previous titles in the series. Associate game directors Will Kennedy and Craig Littler stated that side content can double this playtime, and the life simulation aspects allow for potentially limitless engagement.
Fable's story will be '15-20 hours' long, according to its game director, although the game's life…
Playground Games' Fable reboot will feature approximately 15-20 hours of mainline quest gameplay, with an additional 15-20 hours of side content and exploration. Associate game directors Will Kennedy and Craig Litter noted that the game's life systems offer potentially limitless playtime. The RPG has been delayed to 2027 to avoid launching alongside Grand Theft Auto 6.
Petit Planet Gives Animal Crossing Its First Serious Rival in Years
miHoYo's upcoming life simulation game, Petit Planet, is shaping up to be a serious contender in the genre, drawing clear comparisons to Animal Crossing. The game features a human protagonist tasked with revitalizing planets populated by anthropomorphic animals, offering familiar mechanics like crafting and village building. While the demo showcased a polished experience, concerns linger regarding potential gacha mechanics and the use of AI in its development, despite assurances from HoYoverse.
Capitalist tycoon game Big Ambitions is a New York "life sim on steroids," and its 1.0 launch is living up to its name
The capitalist tycoon game Big Ambitions has officially launched its 1.0 version after over three years in early access, receiving a highly positive user score on Steam. Developed by Hovgaard Games, the game allows players to build a corporate empire in New York City, with the latest update adding a new neighborhood, banking improvements, and new roles.
Future Games Show at Gamescom 2026: Every Announcement and Game Revealed | Invision Game Community
The Future Games Show at Gamescom 2026 featured over 40 game announcements, including world premieres and new gameplay. The showcase highlighted a diverse range of titles across genres like RPGs, shooters, and strategy games, with many set for 2026 and 2027 releases on PC and consoles. Notable reveals included new entries in established franchises and unique indie projects.
